212 killed in rain-related accidents in Pakistan

Xinhua News Agency

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At least 212 people were killed, 188 injured and 1,428 houses collapsed in separate rain-triggered accidents in parts of Pakistan over the last month, authorities said Saturday.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that the country's northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst hit where 104 people were killed, 78 others injured and 359 houses collapsed in separate accidents of roof collapse and landslidingcaused by torrential rains.

The northwest tribal area was also badly affected by the rains where 31 people were killed, 38 others injured and 61 houses collapsed in the rain-related accidents.

In a separate incident in Orakzai Agency of the tribal belt, seven laborers were killed and 10 others injured when a coal mine caved in due to landsliding caused by heavy rains.

The northeast Pakistan administered Kashmir area was also badly affected by the rains where 21 people were killed, 17 others injured and 771 houses collapsed, said the report.

The country's south Balochistan province also received heavy rains which affected the lives of many people.

The NDMA said that 19 people were killed, 20 others injured and 50 houses collapsed in the heavy down pour in various areas of the province.

At least 16 people were killed, seven others injured and 177 houses collapsed when heavy rains lashed the country's north Gilgit Baltistan area.

The rains also triggered off heavy landsliding which blocked Karakorum Highway between Gilgit and Chilas from various places, stranding hundreds of passengers on the road.

The country's east Punjab province was also affected by the rains where 14 people were killed, 18 others injured and 10 houses collapsed.

A number of bridges and roads were also swept away by flood water in different parts of the country, disrupting road traffic.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the accidents and directed the NDMA and other concerned authorities to ensure timely relief activities for the victims, including provision of proper medical care, food and shelter for the affected. Enditem